Alberta lifts publication ban on names of children who die in care

EDMONTON - Alberta has lifted a publication ban on the identities of children who die in government care.

Media can now publish names, photos and stories unless a judge grants a ban in a specific case.

Human Services Minister Manmeet Bhullar (MUN'-meet BYOO'-lahr)says it is a basic right to express grief publicly.

Bhullar promised earlier this year that he would change the law on what could be revealed about a child's death.

The change was prompted by a PostMedia newspaper series that revealed the province did not tell the public about the deaths of 89 kids in care since 1999.

The stories in November also quoted parents who were frustrated about not being allowed to talk publicly about the deaths of their children.

Bhullar, after he was named to the human services portfolio in December, released information that indicated there were hundreds more deaths of children who were not in direct care, but who had been at one time, or who were in indirect care, or who had injuries under investigation.